Chip returned to the tree house to recuperate. How could I let Fat Cat get the drop on me? I almost lost another one! He shuddered at the thought of revisiting the specter of true failure a second time. Once he fixed himself up, he looked around what was once Gadget's workshop. So many marvels in crime fighting... yet he knew his mind was his most potent weapon. Tonight he had been unable to formulate a plan. He had always been able to outthink Fat Cat and all the others.

He took one somber look around and the dank room and then at his bandages. It was then that he knew... never again. As he left the room for the last time he knew this would be the end of his purpose. Never again would he race off to stop the ambitions of the criminal mind. Never again would he monitor the news reports, he knew he couldn't bring himself to watch the goings on knowing he'd no longer be taking an active part. He couldn't risk making a difference anymore, it was one thing to risk himself but his hesitation would've cost that fish her life... he knew it was finally time to give up, for the sake of others.

Many seasons passed after that, he didn't bother to keep track. All he knew was the City was much less safe nowadays. He also found he needed a cane to stand... had it been that long? What did it matter now? As he prepared a meal for himself in the kitchen, there was a knock at the front door.

Chip motioned toward the door slowly, his cane at the ready. He opened the door to find a fly.

"Zipper?" he tried to wrap his mind around the possibility that it could be him. He knew it just couldn't be.

"You must be Chip." said the young fly. "I'm not Zipper. I'm his son Zapper. I'm glad you're still here. May I come in?"

Chip nodded and motioned for him to enter. Before he knew it, the spry fly was behind him. Chip wasn't surprised at this display of speed. He invited Zapper to dine with him.

"Tell me, what brings you here?" Chip sat with his gaze set upon the fly.

"Well," Zapper started "my dad traveled the world. He was with his best friend Monterey Jack for a long time. As I grew, they taught me everything they could. Dad eventually taught me scientific deduction. I pressed him about who taught him. He was always vague about parts of his past but as he started to get sick he finally told me about his time as a Rescue Ranger. He didn't really tell me much so here I am."

"I presume neither Zipper nor Monterey Jack are with us now?" Chip asked.

Zapper nodded. "It was a while ago now, I had to figure out what to do with myself after they were both gone."

Chip didn't flinch. "I see. Please go on."

"After awhile I decided to track down the other three Rangers so they could teach me all they could, and tell me more about Dad's work. He mentioned you'd probably be here and he was right. I was hoping you could tell me what he couldn't and direct me toward the other Rangers."

Chip was quiet for almost a minute, studying the fly. He was growing tired. His blood pressure had been rising from the stress of remembering the past.

"Look, there's nothing more about deduction you could learn from me if Zipper taught you. I'm not in the mood for a stroll down memory lane right now. Let me give you directions to the local hospital instead. Gadget became a doctor after being a Ranger. Her immense intellect and unwavering compassion toward others made it an easy choice. Seek her out and I'm sure she'll be happy to talk with you. I need to rest now. Please go."

Zapper decided not to press it and left with this new information, at least it hadn't been a total loss. As Zapper made his way though the city, he noticed how great the need was for a hero. He wondered what could've happened to change the munk who had been leader. He hoped the good doctor Hackwrench could provide some answers.